a quick preChristmas monday post...

which is hard to do! so much going on, that it has to be quick.

• the party went well! we had a great time and in spite of the frigid temp we had a good turnout. i was the least stressed i've ever been when we've entertained. i was completely relaxed, and enjoyed every moment of the process, and the night. that is big for me peeps. and when i went to bed that night, and laid there reflecting on the night, i realized that i hadn't even thought of my camera. didn't take a single photo. and it's okay!
• the Christmas service at church yesterday was awesome! the first segment of the service was the children's program and it was SO cute! my friend kathy howerton is truly gifted. she heads up the children's programs, and it isn't just a position that she does out of duty, she is in it heart and soul, and you can tell! at the end of the children's segment, they brought the little ones in from the nursery and had them join in for "ring the bells" and it was adorable! i have to say, little miss harper quinn stole the show with her enthusiastic ringing and dancing on the platform! (yes, i'm a proud meem! hang on, i'm a proud mama today too!) the adult segment was beautiful. pastor did a phenomenal job of interlacing scripture and *the story*, with the solos thoughout the service. brooke sang a solo and it was so beautiful! she sang with such heart! no matter how grown up your children are, the *proud mama* moments are ALWAYS going to be there! i still see it with my sweet mama, even when i do little things she's proud of :)
• the second church program was at payton's school, which is the same parochial school that my kiddos went to. that always stirs emotions and memories of their childhoods, and now i'm seeing my grandson there. he did a great job. he's growing up way too fast. right after i snapped this shot, he ran out of line and gave me a huge hug!

 

• i know i've mentioned a bunch of times that i had a project i was dying to find time to do. i finally got to it late friday night. i really like how it turned out. if you can't read it, it says "believe".

  the only sad thing is, we couldn't light the candles because the greenery is way too dry. we may light them for a little bit on Christmas eve when we're spending time in the family room. 

• a challenge for my scrapbooking friends. i have been purging a lot of my supplies lately. it feels good, but at the same time, it seems sort of sad to me to be getting rid of product that i loved at one time. so as i was sorting through things, i gathered some product (papers, stickers and other embellishments) and put them in a separate box and promised myself that i would actually use everything very soon, or it had to go. last night, i was in the mood to scrapbook, so i went to the studio and got busy. here's what i did, and  it's my challenge to you.

1. grab 8 photos to make 8 layouts. you can grab more photos if you like doing multi-photo pages. the idea is to have 8 layouts in the end. 
2. grab a box full of products that are older and that you haven't used yet. 
3. grab 8 sheets of cardstock.
4. look at the clock and start creating.
5. don't go for *masterpieces*. just document the photos, using product that you love, but that may seem outdated.
6. edit: and this is sorta important: i did all of the layouts with the same basic design, just changing it up slightly on each one.

at the end of about an hour and a half, i had 8 completed pages. i happened to do the number 8 because we have 8 grandchildren. so in that hour and a half i finished 8 new layouts, one for each child and i felt awesome about all the older products i had used. it did something else for me-because i do a lot of scrapbooking now for assignments, i have gotten away from the reason i started this in the first place. i was pleasantly surprised when i noticed that i wasn't concerned about perfection or using the *right* products and i was enjoying it, in a way that i hadn't felt in a while. i love creating, so it's not that i haven't been enjoying scrapbooking. it was just a really great feeling to feel so free and to finish so much in so little time. that's not how i always want to create, but i think it was a really freeing experience. let me know if you want to do this. maybe we could share our pages and feel inspired. plus i would love to hear how it works for you! the box of older product is now sufficiently diminished, and i have such a sense of satisfaction! i'll definitely do this again!     

that's all i have today. no list :) just another Christmas-y photo.

 i hope you and your family have slowed down a bit and are enjoying this season. my big thing has been to try to really be in the moment, and not just sliding by. i want to be fully conscious and not miss a thing! God bless you!

Comments

[Leonie - Australia]

Your home looks lovely for Xmas, I hope you and your family have a wonderful Xmas & a Happy Healthy 2009.

[norma]

Lovely. Thanks for sharing!

[heather]

your mantel is delicious! happy christmas to you and tom and the fam, becky! xoxo.

[er]

payton is such a little man.
what a fun weekend!
your house looks beautiful!!
xoxo,
er

[Monica from Carlsbad,CA]

I love the idea of using the old product, and getting some layouts done too! We are heading out to a snowy vacation (I don't ski!)and I will bring my scrap stuff with me! 8 photos,8 layouts! I am so happy that I found your blog a few months ago, I have enjoyed sharing the holidays with you~

[maureen]

now of course, you have me wanting to do your "challenge" :)
I think I will take the time to do that...over our Christmas vacation.
Hugs Becky and God bless you!

[Lynn]

Great post Becky! Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas.... happy for the reminder to 'not miss a thing' Love that!

Merry Christmas!

Lynn

[jessi nagy]

Hey there sweets,

Merry Christmas.
Have a fantastic holiday season.

xoxoox,
jessi

[traci]

great post as usual becky. just wanted to tell you that i ordered "The one year Bible" and it came yesterday. i am so excited for january 1st so i can start the new year right. have a very merry christmas becky!!

[emma]

the banner turned out SUPER cute... mom and i have been dying to make one, but never got to it... Yours turned out great.... :)

merry Christmas, and thanks again for the advent calendar.. i ♥'d it!

Emma